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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 28, 2014 15:13:32 GMT -5
I've been keeping an eye on the players who are declaring for the NBA draft. I think the previous year's talk about how this was going to be such a great draft will turn out to be wrong. I am not seeing much in the way of sure fire stars among eligible and declared draftees so far. Sure, guys like Wiggins are going to get drafted high and make a lot of money, but as the struggles of last year's number one pick, Anthony Bennett, show, the draft is still a crap shoot, especially when you are dealing with such inexperienced kids. I fondly remember the days when NBA first round picks were expected to be starters or at least heavy rotation guys as rookies. zagsblog.com/articles/2014-early-entry-list/
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 28, 2014 15:20:34 GMT -5
I remember back in 1980 when Magic Johnson declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore year. He was an All American, and had led his team to the NCAA championship. He had NBA star written all over him. Today, Zach Lavine, a freshman for UCLA, declared for the draft. He was not a full time starter on the Bruins. He averaged less than ten points per game and scored a total of nine points in the last five games of the year. Amazingly, the "experts" are saying he could go in the first round. Times have really changed. espn.go.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/10688625/ucla-bruins-lose-kyle-anderson-zach-lavine-nba-draft
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 15, 2014 11:50:38 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 23, 2014 10:54:19 GMT -5
This is definitely a sign of the current times: "Hey, I'm a 6-6 guy who averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds before getting kicked off the team and seeking treatment for drug-related issues. Guess I'll declare for the NBA draft!" zagsblog.com/articles/source-chane-behanan-to-announce-for-nba-draft/In another sign of the times, this tweet was released earlier. It's amazing that the NBA and college basketball has gotten to the point where a guy who averaged 5.9 ppg has to announce that he will be returning to college for his junior year. Jeff Goodman @goodmanespn 2m Alex Poythress announces he will return to Kentucky for his junior season. Averaged 5.9 points last season.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jun 9, 2014 10:37:58 GMT -5
Interesting note from the early entry ranks.
Jeff Goodman @goodmanespn 26m Big Sim Bhullar will work out for Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Has worked on getting into better shape over past couple months.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 1, 2014 13:59:57 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 1, 2014 14:06:18 GMT -5
Interesting note from the early entry ranks. Jeff Goodman @goodmanespn 26m Big Sim Bhullar will work out for Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Has worked on getting into better shape over past couple months. Big Sim was one of the underclassmen who declared and was not drafted.
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Post by Commissioner on Jul 1, 2014 15:21:20 GMT -5
I can't figure out what Sim was thinking in declaring for the draft. Beyond his obvious need for more development as a player, you'd think he might want to play at leats one year alongside his brother. But maybe Sim figures he's not going to get to the NBA in any case, in which case perhaps he wants to start his pro career overseas. A one or two year head start on the career can add up to a lot of money long term.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 2, 2014 12:01:14 GMT -5
I think Sim must have been thinking of getting his pro career started, as you suggested. I did think he would stick around to play a year with his brother, but I guess he had other ideas. Also, some guys just don't like or don't do well at school. Here's another interesting case: Aquille Carr was a highly rated high school recruit who committed to Seton Hall but ended up playing the in the D League and then putting him name in for the draft. The problem is, the dude is 5-6 and got cut from the D league team. You have to figure that college would have been the right move for him. Not many 5-6 guards make a lot of money playing pro ball, either in the NBA or overseas. zagsblog.com/articles/undrafted-aquille-carr-eyes-europe-or-d-league/
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 31, 2014 9:40:23 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Aug 6, 2014 15:22:25 GMT -5
UAB has a guard who averaged 17 ppg last year, shooting 40% from the floor overall, who is foregoing college to go "pro". I don't remember his name, even though I just read the story this morning.
Getting to see more of this: Guys leaving college to take their shot at the pro ranks, either in the NBA, D-League, or overseas. If you are aiming for the D-League or overseas, seems like it would be a smart move to get your degree first. To each their own, though.
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